Happy Talk/. Positive Thinking

POSITIVE THINKING

        "Happy Talk, keep talking 'Happy Talk..' " Laura, twirling around as she sang."Talk about things you like to do..." It's from a Broadway musical," she told us. "And if you don't sing it...THINK IT!"   Laura was a new resident at our senior center, who I describe as a 'bubbly' type... and I mean from early in the morning when so many of us are so groggy from the night's sleep...or lack of it.

"It's a new day " she'd say. We don't really know what it will bring... it looks like it will be a' happy' one."

Lili, one of our veteran residents, raised her hand," 'Happy' is a pretty strong word. Let's just be glad if it's an okay... satisfactory day..." y' know? 'Positive' is the Key word here."

"Positive, schmositive" came another voice from the other side of the room.  I knew who it was but I ignored it. She was the one I dubbed 'Cranky Connie'. She had the opposite outlook than our Laura,

"What an inspiration you are for us," I said to Laura, for everyone to hear,  "today and every day!"

But," added Connie, "not exactly realistic."

"I agree," I said, "because sadness is a part of life...and misery loves company. It does! I wrote a  poem; I call it... "Misery Loves Company." I'll read it to you. I reached into my bag and took it out;

                Misery Loves Company" (so they say.)

                But I think it depends on the time of day

                Not before my coffee. I won't listen then

                to anyone's misery...

                But maybe at ten?

                Hmmm, still too early!

                So you ask, then when?

                Well, maybe after my errands are done

                And I've filled in some hours with a bit of fun?

                Then you'll tell me your troubles and I'll tell you mine... but just some.

                We'll get a third party to judge them and rate it

                It's kind of a contest, but don't overstate it.

                The rule to remember is, 'Tell us no lies.

                The least 'happy' story will win the prize.

                But when that game is over, I'll say this real loud

                Our 'sharing of troubles' will not be allowed

                Until another week has gone by.

                In the meantime our positive thoughts will  abide,  

                But don't worry, you'll see, the days will fly by.

                                           The End

My poem got applause from the ladies in our lunch room.

Sophie raised her hand, " What if I don't have anything  negative to report, can I tell the

good news I have?"

"Sure!" came the calls from the room. which then opened up Sophie's monologue about her

7 children and grandchildren; " Mike's team won the basketball award in the Midwest league,

Stella got a B+in her History final, Eleanor had her 13th birthday party, Stevie is on a weekend

trip with his History class to D .C...".She went on and on, and showed us pictures as she spoke.

Everyone oohed and aahed with each one until there was an obvious restlessness in the room,

the sound of chairs scraping away from tables. "Rosie went ice skating with her new ice skates...

continued Sophie," with more pictures, "Shelley..."

Dina interrupted her, "All good things!"

"Keep smiling" came another voice.

"Even on a rainy day, like today." I said

"Oh, I hate the rain," groaned Connie, "It gets me down..."

"SO? Let a SMILE BE YOUR UMBRELLA"  

"Oh please, spare me your proverbs."

That always gets my favorite monologue going; "Rain is good! We all need rain. Imagine if

you were a farmer, wouldn't you appreciate it?"

"Oh, ok," said Connie, laughing. So I'm a 'farmer', so... what do I grow?"

"Anything you want. Potatoes." I said.

"Boring. Maybe... I don't know... pumpkins. They're colorful, my garden will look so nice."

"Sure, why not.?"

"Well then," called out Pauline, "You're a farmer.  I'm  the Queen of England." There was

applause. 

I waved my arm, "People!" This is not about being someone else." It's about looking on the good

side of things, every day. How about some examples...such as...if you don't like rain, how ..." I

went to the window  and lifted the blinds, " Oh look!  The rain has turned to snow. How pretty are the

flurries falling gently and clinging to the branches..."

"Sure" exploded Connie,"pretty coming down, until they hit the ground. It's worse than rain for us."

I waved my hand, "Again!" I said. "Like when you were a farmer... become a child again

and be happy for the kids, playing in the snow , building a snowman, having snowball

fights... sledding. It's called positive thinking."

" Not my favorite expression."

"Are you sure?" I asked .

"Oh, yeah, I'm positive."

"Really?" I asked again.

"Yes, positively!"

Laughter filled the room.

"But it's not working...what else positive can you think of?"

"Hmm, let's see. How about this; Tonight when the snow is falling and filling our world with

its soundless white magic...we will all be here inside, cozy and warm with the fire crackling

in the fireplace..."

"Sounds nice" came the murmurs from all around the room.

"Uh uh! Still weak!" called Connie. "Try again."

"Okay, how about this,The snow won't go on much longer. The skies will clear, the sun will

come out and the snow will melt. That's positive, isn't it? " 'SMILE AND THE WORLD WILL

SMILE WITH YOU. CRY AND YOU CRY ALONE.' "

"Oh, please," moaned Connie. "Enough already!"

Murmurs went around the room, " She's odd..." was heard.

"I am not odd" exclaimed Connie. She turned to face the room," So, do you all love the snow?"

From every table came voices calling out: "It's too slippery to walk on," was one comment.
"It get's icky".came another. 
" Dirty and slushy."   "I won't drive in it anymore..."

"Well," said Connie. It looks like there are more 'negative' feelings about it. And If I want to be cranky,

sulky, grouchy, I will!"

"Absolutely!" I said, "you have the right to feel, whatever the mood tells you."

Connie stood up and clapped her hands, " Now THAT is the most positive thought you have given all day"!

                                                            THE END